Just seconds before time expired in LSU’s 41-14 trouncing of the University of Notre Dame in the 2007 Allstate Sugar Bowl, Michael Ricks walked on to the Superdome turf and logged the Tigers’ final tackle of the season. While this standard stop may seem insignificant to some, the tackle carries much more weight for Ricks, a fourth-year walk-on linebacker who had never before seen game action. Such is the story of the walk-on athlete, one who battles to contribute to a team’s success while seldom landing time in the limelight. Entering the 2006 fall semester, Ricks was one of 114 walk-ons at the University. These walk-ons, who account for 24.4 percent of the student-athletes at LSU, play a crucial role in their respective sports. Senior track and field runner Jeffrey Parker walked on to the LSU squad and ran in the 2006 indoor and outdoor seasons. Parker said he receives the same chance to compete in track events as the scholarship athletes. “It’s probably difficult [to be a walk-on] because you might not get as much recognition as scholarship athletes, but overall I receive equal opportunities [to compete],” Parker said. Parker did not squander his opportunity to perform in the 2007 indoor season. He made waves at the 2007 SEC Indoor Championship, placing eighth overall in the one-mile run to earn his team a point in the event. Parker said crossing the finish line in 4:11.97 in the final heat at the SEC Indoor Championship was his proudest moment as a walk-on at LSU. “I’m just a walk-on, and I’m doing just as well as anyone in the conference,” Parker said. Before enrolling at LSU, Parker attended Northwestern State University, where he received a full scholarship to run track. Parker said one of the perks of being at LSU is the accommodations the team receives as it travels from meet to meet. “Traveling is better [at LSU than it was at Northwestern],” Parker said. “We drove everywhere [at Northwestern]. We didn’t receive special treatment. Here [at LSU] we can stay at five-star hotels.” Junior volleyball walk-on Michelle Hensgens has performed on the team since enrolling at LSU as a freshman. Hensgens said being a walk-on helps her appreciate volleyball as an athlete who is interested in the game itself instead of the individual accolades. “I feel that as a walk-on you don’t forget your true love for the game,” Hensgens said. “There is nothing keeping you playing except for the love of the game and the pride you have for the team and yourself.” In three seasons Hensgens played in 185 games over 63 matches and has recorded 342 digs for LSU. Hensgens said she receives many of the same benefits a scholarship athlete would receive, including LSU team apparel, access to the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes and assistance from athletic trainers. What walk-on athletes do not benefit from, though, is a full scholarship, which includes paid tuition, books, housing and food. Hensgens said this dichotomy between walk-on and scholarship athletes does not foster ill will among the players. “I can only speak for the volleyball team, but I know that there is no separation between walk-ons and scholarship athletes,” Hensgens said. “I have made some of the most valuable relationships in my life with my teammates, scholarship or walk-on.” Junior football walk-on Anthony Zehyoue has worked on the scout team as a defensive end in order to prepare the starters for regular-season games. Even though he knows he is contributing to the football team’s success, Zehyoue said his role as a walk-on has humbled him. “Most walk-ons were significant contributors to their high school teams,” Zehyoue said. “When you show up here [at LSU], you definitely get to compete against the best, but at the same time you realize that you aren’t the best, and you realize how much work that you have left to do.” Zehyoue said being a member of such a prominent football program has especially benefited him in the actual preparation for an athletic contest. “Everyone gets excellent coaching and excellent fitness from the strength and conditioning staff,” Zehyoue said. While it has sometimes gone unnoticed, Zehyoue said his work as a walk-on has never been unimportant. “[What] I will take away from my experience as a walk-on is that you can’t always be the man who takes the glory, but sometimes knowing that you had a great input on a large success process is extremely gratifying,” Zehyoue said. “Even though no one may thank you, your work is certainly appreciated.”
—–Contact Jonathan Finney at jfinney@lsureveille.com